add, however, religious citizens are expected to practice what they preach
in political action. The Russians take it for granted that the communist
party will continue to exercise as much control as possible over all
aspects of their personal life. They expect the government to dictate
policy to those churches it controls and know that fundamentally reli-
gious people cannot expect to gain much power or influence in the con-
trol of the party or the state. In America, we relate our belief in God to
our loyalty to the United States. We find no conflict between the two,
and we try to do whatever we can to preserve the United States as
"one nation under God. " With a government that is linked hopelessly
with a militantly atheistic movement—communism—it is painful, if not
impossible, for a Russian to relate his religion and his national loyalty.

In troubled times such as these, in which we are confronted by these
forces of darkness, I believe it is essential that we Americans return to
the simple faith of our forefathers. I think, for example, that we should
strive to better the quality of our lives to match all the material blessings
with which we are surrounded. I think we should rise above the mere
necessities of living—our preoccupation with such things as jobs, homes,
automobiles, clothes—and show more concern about the dignity and the
character of the individual. I think we need to be reinspired to work
harder for freedom and justice and decency, both in our own wonderful
land and in lands abroad. We need to reappraise our values to give us a
proper perspective of life—to place spiritual values above material
values. We should think more about such things as education and
religion which stress intelligent and noble living and emphasize such
ideals as the equality of individuals and justice for all people. It is time
that we broaden our vision of life, remembering well the words: "Where
there is no vision the people perish. " If we are to retain our leadership
in a turbulent world, we must make of America a citadel of man's true
freedom and a vast reservoir of spiritual power, so that the light which
shines in American lives will brighten the dark places of all mankind.

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